Buffalo Bills News - September 23, 2001

Wayne's ready to go, but how much? [5:40 AM]Indianapolis Star reports:
'Manning has been held under 200 passing yards in 11 of his 49 career starts in the league. Four have come against the Bills.'

The Manning model [5:36 AM]Toronto Sun reports:
'Five sacks and three interceptions in the opener are ample evidence of that. But with just two field goals against the Saints, the entire Bills offence has something to prove. Everyone's learning the new offence, not just me," Johnson said. "It's not just one guy, it's 11 guys."'

An emotional return for Bills and Colts [5:33 AM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'And nobody's quite sure what to expect in the aftermath of the unspeakable tragedies in New York and Washington, especially for a game in which violence and aggressiveness are an integral part. That's very much the case for the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts who meet this afternoon in the soldout RCA Dome.'

Bills get back to business against Colts [5:30 AM]D and C reports:
'"I think it'll be a proud time for us as a country, getting back to sports and the things we enjoy and may take for granted," linebacker Keith Newman said. "For us to play this game and the fans who come to watch, those are luxuries we sometimes forget. That's why being out there and hearing the anthem is going to be a great feeling. Then we've got to focus on the game."'

Head of the class [5:29 AM]D and C reports:
'The Indianapolis Colts' 25-year-old throwing machine is at the head of a successful new breed of young signal callers, a class that also includes Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb, Minnesota's Daunte Culpepper, Cleveland's Tim Couch and Denver's Brian Griese.'

It's time for Ritcher to fly again [5:28 AM]D and C reports:
'"We had not been trained to deal with a suicide hijacker because there had never been such a scenario," he said. "What occurred on September 11 was unprecedented."'

Q and A with Larry Centers [5:27 AM]D and C reports:
'"My individual goal is to bring the best Larry Centers to the field each Sunday. I want all my teammates to know that I come to play and every play, when I get my opportunity I'm going to get the maximum amount of yards allowed me on that play. "That's how I grade myself on film. I ask, 'What could I have done differently to get more yards? How could I have played the situation better?' That's how I've come to analyze myself as a player, taking it play by play."'

Scouting report [5:25 AM]D and C reports:
'The Bills must come out of the blocks fast. Falling behind on the road is never a good idea, especially not in the emotionally charged environment that will exist today. The offense has to get on track. You know the Colts are going to score points, so the only way Buffalo can win is to score more points. Pretty simple logic, right?'

Don't forget to make your picks! [12:26 AM]TBD reports:
If you signed up for the GoBills! Pick 'em pool then don't forget to make your picks. We have added (finally) a link on the right side of the page.

September 22, 2001

The Bills are one of the best teams, salary cap wise, as of Sept. 13.
With 38 players signed they are $11.3 milion under the cap (not taken into account some bonuses, accelerations and other monies that could be earned).

Scoring touchdowns could change Bills' point of view [9:13 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"We like our kicker (Jake Arians), but we're not trying to put him in the Pro Bowl," said wide receiver Peerless Price. "We have to find a way to score touchdowns on a consistent basis."'

How Rob rates [9:12 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Granted it's only one week into the NFL season, but Rob Johnson's rating, among the 32 quarterbacks ranked, is near the bottom in the league.'

Cowart thinks his season's over [9:11 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"My whole take on it is the football season is basically September, October and November," Cowart said in his first interview since having surgery Monday to repair a partially torn right Achilles' tendon. "The doctors said it's going to take three months for it to heal. But when a doctor tells you three months, that's really four. After those three months to get healthy, you then have to get back to where you are in football shape and at football speed."'

Spoon may gobble up some playing time [9:10 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Spoon practiced extensively with the first-team defense during Friday's practice. Kenyatta Wright is still expected to get the majority of snaps Sunday, but Spoon is certain to get plenty of action, particularly on early downs.'

NFL's choice on postseason games is likely to be wild [9:09 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Rob Johnson is becoming one of the favorite quarterbacks of "Edge NFL Matchup," the ESPN show hosted by Suzy Kolber in which analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge dissect plays. According to the show's publicist, Johnson's play is analyzed for the second straight show this weekend, prior to the Bills' game with the Colts. Johnson was critiqued briefly on the opening show prior to his poor performance in the New Orleans Saints game.'

Bills re-start season in Indianapolis [8:01 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
With the Colts scheduled to move out of the AFC East and into the new AFC South next season, this also may be Buffalo's last visit to Indiana until the 2006 season.

Buffalo has had a somewhat tricky time at the Dome, with the Colts having a 10-7 mark against the Bills at home since the franchise moved from Baltimore in 1984.

Scouting the Colts with John Guy [7:57 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
"I think if you look at the offense, it's built around Peyton Manning," he said. "His arm, his mindset, his attitude, things are built around that."

Salary cap means Fina is staying [7:09 AM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'Fina's not going anywhere and he and his agent know it. Rather than signaling his exit from Buffalo, it's likely Donahoe's challenge was an effort to kick-start a player with whom the Bills are stuck.'

Containing Colts offense a challenge for Bills [5:27 AM]D and C reports:
'In facing a new Bills defense sporting a new scheme, Manning said he is prepared for anything. He'll be looking for the big play, but only when it presents itself. "We've been a big-play offense, but my philosophy as a quarterback is never to force it at all costs," Manning said. "Against the Jets, we were trying to hit the big play, but the Jets played off and we ended up taking the short stuff and ended up having some good drives. You try to take what a defense gives you. In Buffalo, I see a very aggressive style and they've got a lot of confidence in their corners. "When you have good corners, it allows you to do more things and that's an advantage the Bills have."'

Bills' West Coast offense doesn't faze Colts [5:26 AM]Indianapolis Star reports:
'"It's still just football," said Colts outside linebacker Mike Peterson, who had 12 total tackles against the Jets. "It's basically trick 'em football. Show you right, run left. Show you sweep, run draw. Show you pass, run draw. Don't throw it deep. Everything quick. If you hone up on your assignments, you know what to do."'

Surgery sidelines LB Harris, leaves Colts short at position [5:25 AM]Indainapolis Star reports:
'Without Harris, the team has only five healthy linebackers on the active roster -- starters Mike Peterson, Rob Morris and Marcus Washington, and backups Sam Sword and Mike Morton. Donnel Thompson is on the practice squad.'

Blackout TV reprieve [5:24 AM]Indianapolis Star reports:
'The league granted the Colts an extension to noon today to sell out the Bills game so it can be telecast locally. The Colts said fewer than 1,000 tickets remained late Friday afternoon.'

September 21, 2001

Bills can't let Peyton pass at will at his place [9:24 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"Everybody talks about the (Colts') Big Three people. It goes back to the Big One," said Buffalo Bills coach Gregg Williams. "Peyton Manning controls it all. You'll see him control protection, control coverage, control the run game, does a great job audibilizing and checking at the line of scrimmage."'

Bills owner finds way to give back [9:23 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'His response was to buy the remaining tickets for the Bills' Sept. 30 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers for the purpose of distributing them to the families of local firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians. The cost of the tickets was more than $130,000.'

Fisher to play with bad thumb [9:22 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Coach Gregg Williams said Fisher should be ready to go Sunday, although it's unlikely Fisher will wear his cast during the game.'

Football 101 absolutely A-1 for some pupils [9:21 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'About 100 women have participated in Buffalo's NFL 101 each season. Age is no barrier. "Believe me," Leffler said, "we get women in their 70s and 80s."'

No-huddle means trouble for Colts' foes [9:20 AM]Indianapolis Star reports:
'Marchibroda was patient. Not until 1989, when he was offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, did he install the no-huddle. He did it because he had the right personnel: a bright group, a heady, take-charge quarterback in Jim Kelly, and a versatile, pass-catching running back in Thurman Thomas to help spread the field and force the defense to cover multiple receivers.'

Colts get more time to avoid blackout [9:19 AM]Indianapolis Star reports:
'The league stepped in on Thursday, altering its policy of requiring teams to sell out home games 72 hours prior to kickoff for the games to be televised live in the local market. The deadline was adjusted league-wide to 48 hours prior to kickoff, which would be noon today for the Colts, who play host to Buffalo on Sunday. Colts spokesman Craig Kelley said fewer than 1,000 tickets remained Thursday afternoon for the game.'

It's time for Bills' offense to produce [5:11 AM]D and C reports:
'"We're not discouraged at all. We've played one regular-season game in this system, and we'll get better in this system, and we'll get more comfortable as we go along."'

Johnson finding it tough to avoid repeated sacks [5:10 AM]D and C reports:
'"He always wants to make a play down the field and I think that's a positive trait, but one that has to fit in with the constraint components of your offensive system and that's not to take negative yardage plays. He understands that." Or does he?'